Bruins Breakdown’s Trade Deadline Acquisition Tiers

Tier 1: The Major Impact Guys

· Tomas Hertl: C,LW San Jose Sharks

o The ideal piece for the Bruins team. The 6’3 215 lb. 28 year old is currently in the midst of a really solid season for the Sharks with 20-11-31 in 37 games played. His offensive creativity and goal scoring prowess would be a perfect fit between Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak on the second line, and would immediately make the Bruins a serious contender. The impending FA would not come cheap however, and would most likely cost the Bruins a package headlined by Mason Lohrei or Fabian Lysell. And lets be honest, who doesn’t want to see another Joe Thornton Hat Trick?

· Jakob Chychrun: D, Arizona Coyotes

o Along with 2LC, a LHD who can eat major minutes would be a serious addition to this Bruins squad. Matt Grzelcyk, Derek Forbort, and Mike Reilly are all nice pieces, but none offer the complete package like Chychrun does. He can skate, defend, and attack in transition. Signed for three more years at 4.6 million, the soon to be 24 year old is a bargain and would be a key building block for the team as the transition into the next phase. Would undoubtedly require one or two of Lysell, Lohrei, or (gulp) Jeremy Swayman

· Claude Giroux: C, Philadelphia Flyers

o Could this really happen? It may not be as far fetched as one may think. The Flyers are stuck in purgatory. They have not shown the chops to be a contender, and it is looking more and more likely that a lot of their higher priced players are not going to be part of the solution. With the team looking at a reload (if not full rebuild), they will likely be looking to move impending UFA Giroux. A second line of Hall-Giroux-Pasta would certainly ease some concerns about depth scoring

· Joe Pavelski: LW/C, Dallas Stars

o Somewhat similar to the situation with the Flyers/Giroux, Dallas is a team seemingly stuck in neutral. Pavelski, who is still productive at age 37, could slot in at the #2 center position in Boston. A UFA at the end of the season, his playoff experience and ability to perform in the playoffs (119 points in 161 games) would be a good add for an aging Bruins core looking to add one more title to their resumes.

Tier 2: Solid pickups with some question marks

· Jordan Greenway: LW, Minnesota Wild

o Still only 24, the former BU product could be an interesting addition for a Bruins team undoubtedly looking for some size and nastiness up front. The 6’6 230 lb. power forward has not quite broken out as many Wild fans hoped, and a change of scenery may do him some good. Brother JD is already in the Bruins organization, he’s good friends with Charlie McAvoy, and as previously mentioned he played college locally. He fits the profile of a Don Sweeney trade target. Perhaps a swap for Jake Debrusk makes some sense?

· Max Domi: C/LW Columbus Blue Jackets

o Elliote Friedman floated this one on his recent 31 Thoughts segment. Domi is a hard player to get a read on. He has shown flashes of offensive brilliance before (52 points as a rookie in 15-16, 72 points in 18-19), but seems to be more of a 40-45 point guy. Loses more face-offs than he wins and on his third team in five years. There are some red flags here.

· Lawson Crouse: LW, Arizona Coyotes

o This is another Bruins trade target that has been rumored in the media, with Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek recently reporting that the Bruins are a team “always been attached to that name (Crouse)." While Crouse is a big body (6’4, 220) who is willing to play physical and drop the gloves if necessary, this feels like it would be another Nick Ritchie addition. His offensive upside is limited, and I do not see how he upgrades the roster in any major way. A Debrusk-for-Crouse swap would likely be the move here, and that has the potential to be a real disaster for the Bruins.

Tier 3: Less Flashy names who could help improve the roster

· Brayden McNabb: LD, Vegas Golden Knights

o One theme that has been present here is the Bruins need to add some nastiness. Well, they don’t come much nastier than the 6’4 215 lb. McNabb. Search “Brayden McNabb hit” on YouTube and you will see countless examples of what he brings to a team. Would Vegas trade him? He is an impending UFA, and while he seems unlikely to be re-signed, Vegas is a team with Cup aspirations. It is hard to replace 20 minutes a night on the blue line. While I would love this move, I would label it unlikely

· Calvin de Haan: LD, Chicago Blackhawks

o Another left handed shot defenseman, de Haan would be a good option if the Bruins miss out on some of the bigger names. While not flashy, de Haan is a solid, dependable defenseman who can play significant minutes. He won’t chip in much offensively, but his shot blocking prowess and ability to make a good first pass would be a good addition for any playoff bound team. Another impending UFA, the cost for de Haan won’t likely be astronomical. CdH fits the profile of a Sweeney add.

· Josh Manson: RD, Anaheim Ducks

o Another D who will be UFA this summer (are you getting the picture yet?). Manson has local ties (played his college hockey at Northeastern), is a big man at 6’3/215 lbs, and loves to play a physical game. While his 37 point season in 17-18 was probably an outlier, he is certainly no slouch on that end. With Jamie Drysdale, Troy Terry, and Trevor Zegras all looking like guys who will require big extensions after next season, is it possible the Ducks choose to get something from Manson now before potentially losing him for nothing? Anaheim’s surprising success this season may have them inclined to keep him for the stretch run, but if they signal that they would move him, Sweeney should be the first one on the phone